Riz Ahmed Wants to Be James Bond and Playfully Walks Out of Interview Over Jacob Elordi 007 Rumors: ‘I Don’t Mind Who Plays Bond as Long as It Is Me

Riz Ahmed takes on a role that feels like a James Bond movie, but with a twist, in Prime Video's new comedy series "Bait." The show had its world premiere on the opening night of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and will be available to stream on Prime Video in March. Ahmed, who has been nominated for an Oscar, wrote and stars in the series as a struggling London actor who finds himself in a deep personal crisis after his audition for the next James Bond goes viral. He said the series is more about the idea of life being like an audition than about Bond himself.

During a Sundance interview with co-star Guz Kahn at the Variety Studio presented by Audible, Ahmed talked about how he had been keeping notes on the many contradictions in his own life.

 He explained that the show was inspired by the feeling that life is like one big audition, where people are constantly trying to prove themselves online, looking for approval from strangers. He wanted to make a show that explores this idea.

Bond is still on Ahmed's mind, though.

 The 007 franchise is currently going through a reboot, and Amazon, the studio behind "Bait," is involved. Ahmed joked, "Everyone has an audition for Bond. Daniel Craig’s was 'Layer Cake'... This is my audition for Bond. I dare anyone to watch this show and think we shouldn't play Bond."

Amazon's first James Bond movie is being directed by Denis Villeneuve, the filmmaker behind "Blade Runner 2049" and "Dune.

" It will be the first major Bond film since the end of Daniel Craig's era. The new Bond actor hasn't been announced yet, but a recent internet rumor suggests that "Euphoria" star and Oscar nominee Jacob Elordi might be in the running.

Ahmed said he didn't mind who played James Bond as long as it was him.

 He playfully stormed off the set when co-star Guz Kahn told him, "I think Jacob Elordi will be James Bond over Riz Ahmed."

On a more serious note, Ahmed added, "This show is not about Bond.

 James Bond in our show is a symbol of what my character wants to be, the ultra alpha-male. He just wants to be someone else, which so many of us want to be. That's the relatable part."

"Bait" will stream on Prime Video on March 25.